Things to Consider Before Getting a Dog

Here’s how you can prepare yourself before getting a dog:

1. Do your research : Learn about the breed’s temperament, exercise requirements, grooming needs, and potential health concerns. Some dogs require weekly grooming, others need hours of daily exercise. This is the best way to find a dog that will not only fit your lifestyle, but also fit your budget and time constraints. Even if you’re adopting a mixed breed or stray, observe their behavior and interests. Spend time bonding and you will begin to understand their character.

2. Consider your house compound : Consider your house compound and the needs of the dog. Imagine if you are disabled and use a wheelchair, but you stay on the fifth floor of an apartment… that has no lift. That would be a horrible living condition that not only frustrates you, but limits what you can do. Sadly, I have encountered many dog owners who keep large dogs like German Shepherds inside small apartments. This doesn’t make sense and this kind of high energy dog requires a large space for them to run around. Keeping them in an apartment will not only create behavioural issues in the long run, it may also cause serious health issues such as hip dysplasia and dog obesity.

3. Think twice: Purchasing a dog is more than a pet. They become a part of your family. Often, clients tell me, “this dog only belongs to me and not to anyone inside the house.” This is totally wrong. Dogs don’t understand “ownership” the way humans do; to them, everyone who lives under the same roof is family and anyone who stays outside is a stranger. It doesn’t matter if the visitor at your gate is your best friend or sibling, if there’s no special connection to tell them of this fact. Because they don’t stay in your house, they’re a stranger, and your dog is going to start barking or guard. Your dog is going to affect everyone in your household. Think twice before you buy.

Contacting a Trainer

Okay, now you’ve got a dog and you’re looking for someone to train them. 

Before you contact any trainer, you need to know the methods they use to train the dogs. Many dog trainers use treats or physical punishments to make the dog obey. The worst problem is they just train the dog to obey their commands, but they don’t teach you how to handle them. 

There is no training in the world that can be done without working with the owner. Training works best as a partnership between trainer, owner, and dog. Your commitment is the key to long-term success.